BLOG 9: Bulldogs preparing to host region’s best at Katke

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State’s Tina Muir finishes up at the Bulldog Invitational earlier this season in Big Rapids (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – It’s one of those rare opportunities for college student athletes, and Ferris State University is hoping to take full advantage.

The Bulldogs host the 2008 NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championships on Saturday at Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids. It’s the 51st year for the men’s race which will be a 10K race scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. This is the 28th year for the women’s race which starts as 12 p.m.

The men’s regional consists of 21 teams while the women’s regional is comprised of 22 squads that include teams from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Great Lakes Valley Conference and several independent institutions. The top four team finishers from the men’s division and top three teams from the women’s division will run on to nationals. Additionally, the top two individuals not associated with one those teams will move on to compete in the 2008 NCAA Division II Championships (Nov. 22) in Slippery Rock, Pa.

For more information on the 2008 NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championships, visit http://www.ferris.edu/sports/
mcc/08region/homepage.htm.

Tina Muir will be among the women to watch for the Bulldogs in this race. Muir has enjoyed an outstanding season and is looking to bounce back this weekend in the regional meet. In addition to Muir, senior Mikinzie Stuart, a native Saginaw, is also looking to make her mark as she finished eighth in the GLIAC Championships. Muir and Stuart will be competing against some outstanding runners from all over the region including Wayne State’s Rachelle Malette, who won the GLIAC individual title in Sault Ste. Marie (Oct. 25) for 2008 as well as Wisconsin-Parkside’s Jessica Monson, the GLVC individual champion for the second consecutive season at the league race (Oct. 25) in Rolla, Mo.

On the men’s side, Ferris freshman Tyler Crossman, a native of Rapid River, has been one of the top runners to watch as he placed 31st at the GLIAC championships. Crossman will be competing against the likes of GLIAC champion Chris Hammer of Grand Valley State as well as GLVC champion Jaime Villa Zapatero of Drury (Mo.) in this weekend’s race.

From a team perspective, Grand Valley won the men’s and women’s GLIAC titles while Southern Indiana did the same in the GLVC.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com